Fence system

ABSTRACT

A fence section includes an upper rail, a lower rail, a first fence panel, and a second fence panel. The first fence panel has a first upper end adjacent to the upper rail, a first lower end adjacent to the lower rail, and a first vertical side extending between the upper and lower ends. The second fence panel has a second upper end adjacent to the upper rail, a second lower end adjacent to the lower rail, and a second vertical side extending between the upper and lower ends. A male engagement element is formed along at least a portion of the first vertical side, and a female engagement element is formed along at least a portion of the second vertical side. The male engagement element and the female engagement element are configured to cooperate to releasably secure together the first fence panel and the second fence panel.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/581,998 filed on Oct. 20, 2009, which claims priority from U.S.Provisional App. Ser. No. 61/106,665 filed on Oct. 20, 2008, U.S.Provisional App. Ser. No. 61/109,764 filed on Oct. 30, 2008, andCanadian Patent App. Ser. No. 2,669,440 filed on Jun. 18, 2009, each ofwhich is hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.

FIELD

The Applicant's teaching disclosed herein relates to fence systems, forexample privacy fences and picket fences, and to one or more methods andapparatuses associated with elements of fence systems and the connectionstructure and assembly thereof.

BACKGROUND

The following paragraphs are not an admission that anything discussedtherein is citable as prior art or part of the general knowledge ofpeople skilled in the art.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,702,090 (Edgman) discloses a plastic fence assembly,particularly adapted for use as residential privacy fencing and thelike, comprising plural post members which are formed of hollow extrudedplastic and have opposed side walls and end walls intersected by one ormore elongated channels. Elongated spacer elements may be inserted inthe channels and retained therein by interlocking projections on thespacer elements and recesses formed in the sidewalls of the postchannels. The spacer elements support side edges of vertically extendingpicket members, brackets for horizontally extending center rail membersand to position at least one or both of elongated top and bottom railmembers of the fence assembly. The top and bottom rail members haveelongated slots formed therein for receiving opposite ends of generallyplanar boardlike picket members. The top and bottom rail members and thespacer members may be cut to length as may the post and picket membersto provide fencing of a desirable height and distance between posts.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,988,599 (Forbis) discloses a modular fence system. Thesystem includes fence planks designed for insertion into open channelsof upper and lower fence rails. The fence rails are supported in ahorizontal orientation between intermittent fence posts, with the fenceplanks extending vertically between the rails. The planks includeresilient protrusions at their upper ends. The protrusions of the planksare designed to fit into internal passages formed in the open channelsof the upper fence rail, into engagement with ledges defining thepassages, to inhibit inadvertent removal of the planks from the upperrail.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,478,287 (DeSouza) discloses a fence panel constructedfrom extruded hollow polyvinyl plastic boards. The boards are arrangedwith vertical end boards and filler boards between the end boards. Threehorizontal rails each have a board on each side of the vertical boardswith a horizontal filler board between the top rail boards to seal offthe upper ends of the vertical boards. All of the boards are securedtogether with a plastic adhesive without the use of any mechanicalfasteners.

U.S. patent application publication 2008/0217598 (Dombroski) discloses afence assembly that is made up of a plurality of fence sections. Eachsection is made up of panels with top, bottom and side edges and frontand rear surfaces. Slots are spaced from and milled into the panelsalong one of the sets of edges. A pair of trim extends over and coversthe set edges and each trim has projections that snap or slide into thefront and rear slots. Alternatively the edges of the panel may be beadedand slid over the slotted side of the trim. The fence sections arecoupled pivotably to fence posts such that the panels may pivot, underforce of wind, about either their top or bottom end. The panels arerestored to generally vertical position by the force of gravity. Acounterweight within the fence post linked to the panels can be used torestore panels to their vertical position. In an alternate embodiment,the brackets coupling the panels to the fence posts may slide along thefence posts and the panels bow in response to high winds. The fencepanels may include resilient strips along their vertical edges.

U.S. patent application 2008/0023684 (Diamond et al.) discloses anon-metallic fence system that has a singular snap lock mechanism forpermitting the easy construction of the fence. It also includes asecuring device for fixing a fabric to a fence having a rigid bodyincluding at least two prongs therefrom and an open face strut profilecapable of receiving the prong therein, wherein the prongs are lockedwithin the open face and the fixture can be removed by twisting 90degrees.

SUMMARY

The following summary is intended to introduce the reader to thedisclosure provided herein but not to define any invention. In general,this disclosure describes one or more methods or apparatuses related toinjection drive units in injection molding machines.

According to one aspect, a fence system includes a first extruded linealextending lengthwise along a first longitudinal axis. The first linealhas a sidewall with at least a first slot in the sidewall and the firstslot extends generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The fencesystem also includes a second extruded lineal extending lengthwise alonga second longitudinal axis. The second extruded lineal includes at leasta corresponding first attachment leg extending outward from the secondextruded lineal and parallel to the second longitudinal axis. The firstattachment leg is integrally extruded with the second extruded linealand is received in the first slot to secure together the first andsecond extruded lineals.

According to some aspects, a fence section comprises: a) a generallyhorizontal first rail having an upper face with a first panel recessextending lengthwise along the first rail and extending laterallybetween opposed first recess sidewalls, the first rail including a firsttongue extending laterally from one towards the other of the firstrecess sidewalls and lengthwise along the first rail; b) a generallyhorizontal second rail spaced vertically above the first rail and havinga lower face with a second panel recess extending lengthwise along thesecond rail and extending laterally between opposed second slotsidewalls, the second rail including a second tongue extending laterallyfrom one towards the other of the second recess sidewalls and lengthwisealong the second rail; and c) a plurality of vertical members extendinggenerally vertically between the first rail and the second rail, eachvertical member having a panel height extending between upper and lowerends of the panel and a panel thickness extending laterally betweenopposed front and back panel faces, the lower end of each verticalmember being received in the first panel recess and the upper end ofeach vertical member being received in the second panel recess. Eachvertical member has a constant cross-sectional panel profile along thepanel height, and each vertical member includes a lower slot and anupper slot extending horizontally across a width of the vertical memberand lengthwise of the rail, the lower slot receiving the first tonguetherein and the upper slot receiving the second tongue therein.

In some examples, the vertical members can be in the form of fencepanels, pickets, boards, or slats. The vertical members and/or the railscan, in some examples, be formed of plastic and can be injection molded.

In some examples, each vertical member comprises an extruded lineal,made of, for example, but not limited to, a plastic material. The upperand lower slots can comprise cuts (for example, saw cuts) or a similarmaterial-removal feature in the lineals. The slots can be parallel to,and spaced equally apart from, the upper and lower edges of panels.

In some examples, the rails can comprise extruded lineals. The rails canhave a constant cross-sectional profile along their length. The railscan be made of a plastic material. Each of the rails, including, forexample, the first and second rails and an optional third rail can havea common rail profile. In other words, a length of extruded linealhaving the common rail profile can be used as any one of the first,second, or third rails.

According to some aspects, a fence section, comprises: a) a generallyhorizontal lower rail having an upper face with a lower panel recessextending lengthwise along the first rail and extending laterallybetween opposed first and second lower recess sidewalls, the lower railincluding a lower rail first tongue extending laterally from the firstlower recess sidewall towards the second lower recess sidewall andlengthwise along the lower rail, and a lower rail second tongueextending laterally from the second lower recess sidewall towards thefirst lower recess sidewall and lengthwise along the lower rail; b) agenerally horizontal upper rail spaced vertically above the lower railand having a lower face with an upper panel recess extending lengthwisealong the upper rail and extending laterally between opposed first andsecond upper recess sidewalls, the upper rail including an upper railfirst tongue extending laterally from the first upper recess sidewalltowards the second upper recess sidewall and lengthwise along the upperrail, and a upper rail second tongue extending laterally from the secondupper slot sidewall towards the first upper slot sidewall and lengthwisealong the upper rail; and c) a plurality of fence panels extendinggenerally vertically between the lower rail and the upper rail, eachfence panel having a panel height extending between upper and lower endsof the panel and a panel thickness extending laterally between opposedfront and back panel faces, the lower end of each fence panel beingreceived in the lower panel recess and the upper end of each fence panelbeing received in the upper panel recess. Each fence panel has aconstant cross-sectional panel profile along the panel height, and eachfence panel includes a first and a second lower groove and a first and asecond upper groove extending horizontally across a width of the fencepanel and lengthwise of the rail, the first lower groove receiving thelower rail first tongue therein, the second lower groove receiving thelower rail second tongue therein, the first upper groove receiving theupper rail first tongue therein, the second upper groove receiving theupper rail second tongue therein.

In some examples, the front and/or back faces of fence panel cancomprise one or more vertical channels extending along the height of thepanel. The channel(s) can give the illusion that each panel comprises aplurality of slats. Each channel can comprise a channel face, andopposed lateral faces. The channel can have the same depth as each ofthe grooves, and each tongue can abut the channel face(s).

In some examples, each fence panel is provided with cooperating male andfemale engagement elements, such that each fence panel may be connectedto one or more other fence panels. The male and female engagementelements can be configured such that when a male engagement element isinserted into a female engagement element, the joint provides theappearance of a channel. For example, each female engagement element cancomprise opposed walls, between which the male engagement element isinserted. The opposed walls can be provided at a distance from the frontand back faces of the panel, respectively, that is equal to the depth ofthe channel(s), and the width of each opposed walls can be equal to thewidth of the channel face.

In some examples, the first and second lower tongues and the first andsecond upper tongues are joined to the first and second upper and lowerslot sidewalls, respectively, at a vertical position generally at theouter ends of the first and second upper and lower sidewalls. In otherexamples, the first and second lower tongues and the first and secondupper tongues are joined to the first and second upper and lower slotsidewalls, respectively, at a vertical position spaced from the outerends of the first and second upper and lower sidewalls.

According to some aspects, a connection structure for a fence comprisesa first extruded lineal extending lengthwise along a first longitudinalaxis and having a sidewall with at least a first slot in the sidewall.The first slot extends generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.The connection structure also comprises a second extruded linealextending lengthwise along a second longitudinal axis, the secondextruded lineal including at least a corresponding first attachment legextending outward from the second extruded lineal and parallel to thesecond longitudinal axis. The first attachment leg can be integrallyextruded with the second extruded lineal and is received in the firstslot to secure together the first and second extruded lineals.

In some examples, the first extruded lineal comprises a second slotparallel to, and spaced apart from, the first slot, and the secondextruded lineal comprises a corresponding second attachment leg parallelto the first attachment leg and received in the second slot.

In some examples, each slot comprises an opening through one sidewall.Each opening may have opposed slot edge faces and opposed slot endfaces. Each slot edge face and each slot end face may extend laterallyfrom an outer surface of the sidewall to an inner surface of thesidewall.

In some examples, the slot edge faces are parallel to each other.

In some examples, the slot edge faces are oblique relative to the firstlongitudinal axis.

In some examples, each attachment leg comprises a distal portion spacedapart from the second extruded lineal and a barb extending from thedistal portion. Each barb may comprise an abutment surface that bearsagainst the inner surface of the sidewall adjacent the respective slotinto which the attachment leg is received for retaining the attachmentleg within the slot when the attachment leg is fully inserted into therespective slot.

In some examples, the second extruded lineal comprises a base surface.Each attachment leg may extend from the base surface. The base surfacemay oppose the abutment service and be spaced apart from the abutmentsurface by a distance greater than a thickness of the first extrudedlineal sidewall.

In some examples, the slot end faces are spaced apart by a first widthand the attachment leg received within each slot has a second width. Thesecond width may be generally equal to the first width so thattranslation of the first extruded lineal relative to the second extrudedlineal along the second longitudinal axis is inhibited when theattachment leg is received within the slot.

In some examples, each barb comprises at least one resilient retainingmember. The at least one resilient member may be moveable betweeninsertion and retention positions. When the at least one resilientretaining member is in the insertion position the barb can pass betweenthe slot edge faces, and when the at least one resilient retainingmember is in the retention position the barb is inhibited from passingbetween the slot edge faces.

In some examples, the at least one resilient retaining member comprisesthe abutment face.

According to some aspects, a fence section comprises an upper horizontalrail and a lower horizontal rail extending along respective upper andlower rail axes. The lower rail is spaced vertically below the upperhorizontal rail. Each of the rails can comprise a respective extrudedlineal including integrally formed attachment legs. The fence sectioncan further comprise a plurality of vertical members each extendingbetween the upper and lower horizontal rails. Each of the verticalmembers comprises at least one upper slot and at least one lower slot.At least portions of the attachment legs of the upper and lower railsare received within respective ones of the slots to secure each verticalmember to the upper and lower horizontal rails.

In some examples, each of the vertical members extends along arespective vertical axis. The upper and lower slots may be generallyelongated in a lateral direction generally perpendicular to the verticalaxis, and the slots may be generally narrow in the vertical direction.The upper and lower slots can each have a slot length extendinggenerally perpendicular to the vertical axis, and a slot thicknessextending in the vertical direction. The slot thickness can be less thanthe slot length. In some examples, the slot thickness can be only afraction of the slot length, for example only about one-fifth, or aboutone-tenth, or about one-fifteenth, or less than about one-twentieth ofthe slot length.

In some examples, the upper and lower slots can form an opening througha sidewall of each vertical member. Each opening may comprise opposedslot edge faces and opposed slot end faces. Each slot edge face and eachslot end face may extend laterally from an outer surface of the sidewallto an inner surface of the sidewall.

In some examples, the slot edge faces are parallel to each other.

In some examples, the slot edge faces are oblique relative to the outersurface of the sidewall.

In some examples, the slot end faces are parallel to each other and arespaced apart by a slot length and the slot edge faces are spaced apartby a slot height.

In some examples, each attachment leg comprises opposing attachment legend faces spaced apart by an attachment leg length. The attachment leglength may be less than the slot length of the corresponding slot.

In some examples, each attachment leg includes a barb. Each barb maycomprise an abutment surface that bears against the inner surface of thesidewall adjacent the respective corresponding slot, into which theattachment leg is received when the attachment leg is fully insertedinto its slot.

In some examples, the upper and lower rails each comprise a basesurface. Each attachment leg may extend from one base surface. Each basesurface may oppose the abutment surfaces of the attachment legsextending therefrom, and may be spaced apart from the abutment surfacesby a distance greater than a thickness of the sidewall.

In some examples, each barb has a generally wedge-shaped cross-sectioncomprising a leading edge spaced apart from its abutment surface so thatthe each barb facilitates insertion of the attachment leg into its slotand resists removal of the attachment leg from its slot.

In some examples, each attachment leg is resiliently moveable between afirst position for inserting the attachment leg and barb through therespective slot and a second position for retaining the attachment legwithin the respective slot. In the second position the abutment surfacemay engage the inner surface of the sidewall, and the attachment leg maybe biased toward the second position.

In some examples, each barb comprises at least one resilient retainingmember. The at least one resilient member may be moveable betweeninsertion and retention positions. When the at least one resilientretaining member is in the insertion position, the barb has a barbheight that is less than the slot height. When the at least oneresilient retaining member is in the retention position, the barb has abarb height that is greater than the slot height.

In some examples, each resilient retaining member is biased toward theretention position.

In some examples, the resilient retaining member comprises the abutmentsurface. When the attachment leg is fully inserted in its slot and theresilient retaining member is in the retention position, the abutmentsurface may engage the inner surface of the sidewall.

In some examples, each attachment leg further comprises a protrusion.The protrusion may extend away from the attachment leg and may beintermediate the resilient retaining member and the base surface.

In some examples, each the protrusion has a protrusion height that canbe less than the slot height.

In some examples, each protrusion is registered with one slot edge facewhen the attachment leg is fully received in its slot to inhibitvertical displacement between the vertical members and upper and lowerrails.

In some examples, both horizontal rails have a common extruded profilecomprising a downward opening, generally C-shaped channel. The channelmay have a horizontal upper wall and first and second vertical,laterally spaced apart, integrally formed rail sidewalls. The profilemay define an internal cavity between the rail sidewalls and adjacentthe upper wall.

In some examples, the upper wall of each horizontal rail comprises aplurality of apertures spaced apart along the length of the rail. Theapertures in the upper horizontal rail may be aligned with correspondingapertures in the lower horizontal rail and each vertical member may passthrough respective aligned ones of the apertures in the upper and lowerhorizontal rails.

In some examples, each vertical member extends beyond the upper wall ofthe upper horizontal rail and extends beyond a bottom edge of thesidewalls of the lower horizontal rail.

In some examples, the attachment legs include laterally opposed firstand second attachment legs extending inwardly towards each other fromthe first and second sidewalls respectively.

In some examples, each vertical member comprises a set of opposing upperslots and a set of opposing lower slots formed in opposing sidewalls ofthe vertical member for receiving the first and second opposedattachment legs of the upper and lower rails respectively.

In some examples, both horizontal rails have a common extruded profilecomprising spaced apart top and bottom walls connected by integrallyformed first and second rail sidewalls forming a generally rectangularchannel.

In some examples, the attachment legs extend from an outer surface ofthe first rail sidewall of both horizontal rails.

In some examples the fence section comprises attachment legs extendingfrom an outer surface of the second rail sidewall of both horizontalrails.

In some examples, the plurality of vertical members comprises first andsecond sets of vertical members. The attachment legs may extend from thefirst rail sidewall of the upper and lower horizontal rail and may bereceived within the corresponding upper and lower slots of the verticalmembers in the first set of vertical members, thereby securing eachvertical member in the first set of vertical members adjacent the firstsidewall of both horizontal side rails.

In some examples, the attachment legs extend from the second sidewall ofthe upper and lower horizontal rails and are received within thecorresponding upper and lower slots of the vertical members in thesecond set of vertical members, thereby securing each vertical member inthe second set of vertical members adjacent the second sidewall of bothhorizontal side rails.

In some examples, vertical members from the first and second sets arearranged in an alternating sequence along the length of the upper andlower horizontal side rails.

In some examples, the attachment leg length is generally equal to theslot length so that translation of each vertical member relative to theupper and lower horizontal rails along the upper and lower rail axes isinhibited when the attachment leg is received its slot.

In some examples, the attachment of the vertical members to the upperand lower horizontal rails comprises only the connection between theattachment legs and slots and is free from other fastening means.

In some examples, the connection between the attachment legs and slotscomprises a snap-fit connection.

According to some aspects, a method of assembling a fence sectioncomprises the steps of: a) providing a first horizontal rail having atleast one integrally formed attachment leg extending therefrom, b)providing a second horizontal rail, the second horizontal rail beingspaced apart from the first horizontal rail and having at least oneintegrally formed attachment leg extending therefrom, c) providing aplurality of vertical members, each vertical member having at least oneupper slot formed in a sidewall for receiving one attachment leg fromthe first horizontal rail and at least one lower slot formed in thesidewall for receiving one attachment leg from the second horizontalrail, and d) connecting each vertical member to the first and secondhorizontal rails by inserting one attachment leg on the first horizontalrail into the at least one upper slot on each vertical member andinserting one attachment leg on the second horizontal rail into the atleast one lower slot on each vertical member.

According to some aspects, a method of making a fence system includesextruding a vertical member profile along an extrusion axis, and cuttingthe profile to length along a cutting axis generally perpendicular tothe extrusion axis to form vertical members for a fence. During or afterthe profile is cut to length, at least one upper and at least one lowerattachment slot can be cut into the vertical member, parallel to thecutting axis and adjacent upper and lower ends of each vertical member.The method can include extruding upper and lower rail profiles, eachincluding an attachment leg extending laterally outwardly of the railprofiles for engagement with the slots of the vertical members.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings included herewith are for illustrating various examples ofarticles, methods, and apparatuses of the present specification and arenot intended to limit the scope of what is taught in any way. In thedrawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first example of a fence sectionaccording to one aspect of the Applicant's teaching;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a common extruded rail profile ofthe fence section of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a partially exploded perspective view of the fence section ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the fence section of FIG. 1 takenalong the lines 4-4;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the fence section of FIG. 3 takenalong the lines 5-5;

FIG. 5B is a perspective view of an alternate example of a fencesection;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another example of a fence section;

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the fence section of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the fence section of FIG. 6 takenalong the lines 8-8;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the fence section of FIG. 7 takenalong the lines 9-9;

FIGS. 10 and 11 are cross-sectional views of portions of the fencesections of FIGS. 6 and 1, respectively, with optional woodenreinforcement members;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of another example of a fence section;

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the fence section ofFIG. 12 taken along the lines 13-13;

FIG. 14 is an enlarged view of a portion of the fence section of FIG.13;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of another example of a fence section;

FIG. 16 is a cross sectional view of a fence panel, taken along line16-16 in FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of a common extruded rail profile ofthe fence section of FIG. 15;

FIG. 18 is a cross sectional view of a fence section, taken along line18-18 in FIG. 15;

FIG. 19 is a cross sectional view of a fence section, taken along line19-19 in FIG. 15; and

FIG. 20 is a cross sectional view of another example of a fence section.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of another example of a fence section;

FIG. 22 is a partial section view of the fence section of FIG. 21;

FIG. 23A is a perspective view of a portion of a fence section;

FIG. 23B is an exploded view of the fence section of FIG. 23 a;

FIG. 24 is a section view of a rail;

FIG. 24B is a perspective view of another example of a fence section;

FIG. 25 is a perspective view of another example of a fence section;

FIG. 26A is a perspective view of a portion of a fence section;

FIG. 26B is an exploded view of the fence section of FIG. 26 a;

FIG. 27 is a section view of the fence section of FIG. 26 a;

FIG. 27B is a detail view of a portion of FIG. 27;

FIG. 28 is a perspective view of another example of a fence section;

FIG. 28B is a perspective view of another example of a fence section;

FIG. 29 is an end view of another example of a rail;

FIG. 30 is an end view of a rail having a barb with a resilient member;

FIG. 30B is a detail view of a portion of FIG. 30;

FIG. 31A is an end view of a rail of FIG. 30 with the resilient barb inthe insertion position;

FIG. 31B is an end view of a rail of FIG. 30 with the resilient barb inthe retention position;

FIG. 31C is an end view of a rail of FIG. 30 connected to a verticalmember and having the resilient barb in the retention position;

FIG. 31D is a perspective illustration of another example of a rail;

FIG. 31E is a cross section taken along line 31E-31E in FIG. 31D, andfurther including a vertical member mounted to the rail;

FIG. 32 is a perspective view of a connection structure for use with afence section; and

FIG. 33 is a partial section view of the connection structure of FIG.32.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various apparatuses or processes will be described below to provide anexample of an embodiment of each claimed invention. No embodimentdescribed below limits any claimed invention and any claimed inventionmay cover processes or apparatuses that are not described below. Theclaimed inventions are not limited to apparatuses or processes havingall of the features of any one apparatus or process described below orto features common to multiple or all of the apparatuses describedbelow. It is possible that an apparatus or process described below isnot an embodiment of any claimed invention. Any invention disclosed inan apparatus or process described below that is not claimed in thisdocument may be the subject matter of another protective instrument, forexample, a continuing patent application, and the applicants, inventorsor owners do not intend to abandon, disclaim or dedicate to the publicany such invention by its disclosure in this document.

Referring to FIG. 1, an example of a fence section 110 includesgenerally horizontal first and second rails 112, 114, (also referred toas lower rail 112 and upper rail 114) and a plurality of fence panels(also called vertical members) 115 extending generally verticallybetween the first and second rails 112, 114.

Referring to FIG. 2, each of the rails 112, 114 is, in the exampleillustrated, made of a common extruded rail profile 116. The profile 116includes laterally spaced apart side faces 118 a, 118 b extendingbetween a proximal face 120 and a distal face 122 spaced verticallyapart from the proximal face 120. A generally U-shaped panel recess 124is provided in the proximal face 120. The panel recess 124 has laterallyspaced apart first and second panel recess sidewalls 126 a, 126 b, eachhaving an outer end 128 a, 128 b at the proximal face 120, and an innerend 130 a, 130 b disposed vertically intermediate the proximal face 120and the distal face 122. A panel recess base 132 extends generallylaterally inwardly from the inner ends 130 a, 130 b of the panel recesssidewalls 126 a, 126 b.

In the example illustrated, the rail profile 116 includes a distallattice recess 134 associated with the distal face 122. The distallattice recess 134 includes opposed distal lattice recess sidewalls 136a, 136 b each having an outer end 138 a, 138 b at the distal face 122,and an inner end 140 a, 140 b disposed vertically intermediate thedistal face 122 and the panel recess base 132. A distal lattice recessbase 142 extends generally laterally between the inner ends 140 a, 140 bof the distal lattice recess sidewalls 136 a, 136 b.

A frangible cover strip 143 can be provided for releasably covering thedistal lattice recess 134. The frangible cover strip 143 can extendlaterally between the outer ends 140 a, 140 b of the distal latticerecess sidewalls 136 a, 136 b. In the example illustrated, the distalface 122 is generally planar, and the frangible cover strip 143 iscoplanar with the distal face 122.

In the example illustrated, the connection between opposed lateral edgesof the cover strip 143 and the adjacent outer ends 138 a, 138 b of thedistal lattice sidewalls 136 a, 136 b comprises a thinned section ofextruded material (e.g. having opposed v-grooves), facilitating tearingaway the cover strip 143 to provide access to the recess 134 for use.

The rail profile 116 can additionally or alternatively be provided witha proximal lattice recess 144 associated with the proximal face 120. Theproximal lattice recess 144 has laterally spaced apart proximal latticerecess sidewalls 146 a, 146 b each having an outer end 148 a, 148 b atthe panel recess base 132, and an inner end 150 a, 150 b verticallyintermediate the panel recess base 132 and the distal lattice recessbase 142. A proximal lattice recess base 152 extends laterally betweenthe inner ends 150 a, 150 b of the proximal lattice recess sidewalls 146a, 146 b.

The rail profile 116 further includes at least one tongue 158 extendingfrom one panel recess sidewall inwardly of the recess 124, towards theopposing panel recess sidewall. In the example illustrated, the tongue158 extends from the panel recess sidewall 126 a laterally (generallyhorizontally) towards the other panel recess sidewall 126 b. The tongue158 is joined to the panel recess sidewall 126 a at a vertical positiongenerally intermediate the inner and outer ends 128 a, 130 a thereof.

Referring to FIG. 3, the fence panel 115 has a height 160 extendingbetween lower and upper ends 162, 164 of the panel 115. Each fence panel115 has a generally constant lateral thickness along its height 160, andcan comprise an extruded lineal having a constant cross-sectional panelprofile along its height 160. Each panel 115 has a lower groove (orslot) 166 provided in one face of the panel 115 and extending across thepanel 115 in a direction lengthwise of the rails 112, 114, adjacent thelower end 162. Each panel 115 has a similar upper groove (or slot) 168adjacent the upper end 164.

Referring to FIGS. 3, 4, and 5, in use, the lower ends 162 of the fencepanels 115 are received in the first panel recesses 124 of the firstrail 112. The upper ends 164 of the fence panels 115 are received in thefirst panel recesses 124 of second rail 114. The tongues 158 of therespective rails 112, 114 are received in the respective slots 166, 168.The panels 115 can be inserted by sliding the panels 115 lengthwisealong the rails 112, 114 with the tongues 158 aligned with the slots166, 168. Alternatively, the rails 112, 114 and the panels 115 can bepress fit together in a generally vertical direction with the ends 162,164 of the panels 115 aligned with the recess 124, and at least one ofthe rail or panel resiliently deforming to accommodate insertion of theend of the panel 115 past the tongue 158. The engagement of the tongue158 in the grooves 166, 168 provides interlocking of the panels 115 withthe rails 112, 114 along substantially the entire width (extendingparallel to the length of the rails 112, 114) of the panels 115.

As seen in FIGS. 1 and 3, the fence section 110 can be provided with alattice panel 170 mounted in the upper face of the second rail 114. Thecover strip 143 can be removed from the second rail 114, and a lowermarginal portion of the lattice panel 170 can be seated in the distallattice recess 134.

A third rail 172 can be mounted atop the lattice panel 170. In theexample, illustrated, the third rail 172 has the same common railprofile 116 as the first and second rails 112, 114. An upper marginalportion of the lattice panel 170 is received in the proximal latticerecess 144 (see also FIGS. 4 and 5).

In an alternate example shown in FIG. 5B, the lattice panel 170 may havea curved upper end, and the third rail 172 may also be curved betweenopposed ends thereof.

In FIGS. 6 and 7, another example of a rail section 210 is shown. Therail section 210 is similar to the rail section 110, and like featuresare identified by like reference characters, incremented by 100. Therail section 210 includes first and second rails 212, 214 with fencepanels 215 extending vertically therebetween. In the fence section 210,gaps 217 are provided between adjacent ones of the panels 215. The rails212, 214 have a common rail profile 216 to which spacers 219 can beclipped in registration with the gaps 217 to facilitate providing thegaps 217 between the panels 215.

Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, the common rail profile 216 includesinwardly directed lugs 221 extending laterally inwardly from the panelrecess sidewalls near the upper ends thereof. The lugs 221 inter-engagewith protrusions 223 extending laterally outwardly from mounting legs225 extending from the back surface of the spacer 219.

The profile 216 can also include pressure tabs 227 extending generallyfrom the panel recess base towards the proximal face of the profile 216.The pressure tabs 227 are configured to bear against the end face of thepanel 215. This can facilitate secure mounting of the panels 215 in thepanel recesses 224.

In FIGS. 10 and 11, the profiles 216 and 116 are shown with woodenreinforcement members 280, 180 (respectively) provided within the hollowinterior of the respective rails 212, 214, 112, 114. The profiles 116,216 can be sized to accommodate dimensional lumber (e.g. 1×3). Webs 182,282 and/or standoffs 184, 284 can be provided in the interior of theprofiles 116, 216 to provide a snug fit for the wooden reinforcement180, 280.

FIG. 12 shows another example of a fence section 310 having rails 312,314 with a common rail profile 316. Fence panels 315 are provided withcooperating male and female engagement elements 371, 373 extending alongthe height 360 of the panels 315 at opposite vertical side edgesthereof. The male engagement elements 371 can be received in the femaleengagement elements 373 of an adjacent panel 315 (FIGS. 13 and 14) tofacilitate securing together the fence section 310.

FIGS. 15-19 show another example of a fence section 410 that is similarto the fence section 110, with like features identified by likereference characters incremented by 300. The fence section 410 includesfirst and second rails 412, 414 (or lower rail 412 and upper rail 414),with a common rail profile 416 and a plurality of panels 415 extendingbetween the rails 412, 414.

Referring to FIGS. 15 and 16, the fence panels 415 each have opposedfront and back faces 417 a, 417 b generally disposed in vertical planes,parallel with each other and the rails 412, 414. Each panel 415 has apanel thickness 419 extending orthogonally between the front and backfaces 417 a, 417 b, and a panel width 421 extending longitudinally alongthe rails 412, 414, between opposed first and second verticallyextending ends 423 a, 423 b.

The front and back faces 417 a, 417 b can be provided with one or morerecessed channels 486 extending along the height 460 of the panel. Eachchannel 486 comprises opposed channel side faces 490 a, 490 b, extendinggenerally orthogonally from the respective panel face 417 a, 417 b andtowards the panel interior (i.e. towards the opposing panel face), and achannel base 492 extending between the lateral faces. The channel base492 is, in the example illustrated, generally planar and parallel to thefaces 417 a, 417 b. The orthogonal (or lateral) extent of the channelside faces 490 a, 490 b generally defines a channel depth D1. Thespacing between the channel side faces 490 a, 490 b (measured parallelto the rails) generally defines a channel width W1. The channels 486provide the panels 415 with raised panel portions 425 on either side ofthe recessed channels 486. The raised panel portions 425 can create theappearance of a plurality of side-by-side slats each extendinglongitudinally along the height 460 of the panel 415.

In the example shown, each panel 415 comprises one channel 486 spacedapproximately mid-way between the vertically extending ends 423 a, 423b. However, in other examples, more than one channel 486 may be providedon each face.

Referring to FIGS. 16 and 18, each fence panel 415 is, in the exampleillustrated, provided with cooperating male and female engagementelements 471, 473 at respective ones of the vertically extending sideedges or ends 423 a, 423 b. The male and female engagement elements areconfigured such that when two panels 415 are assembled in side-by-siderelation, the male engagement element 471 can inter-engage with thefemale engagement element 473. In the example illustrated, theengagement elements 471, 473 are integrally extruded with the panels415, and extend continuously along the height 460 of the panels 415.When the male engagement element 471 is inserted into the femaleengagement element 473, the male protruding member fits within laterallyspaced apart front and rear walls 494 a, 494 b of the female engagementmember 473. Each wall 494 a, 494 b is generally parallel to, and in thesame plane as, the base 492 of the channels 486 in the respective frontand rear panel faces 417 a, 417 b. The front wall 494 a is laterallyrecessed relative to the front panel face 417 a by a distance D2 that isgenerally equal to the distance D1. The back wall 494 b is similarlyoffset relative to the back panel face 417 b.

Further, the width W2 (extending parallel to the rails 412, 414) of eachwall 494 a, 494 b is generally equal to the width W1 of the channel face492.

Accordingly, referring to FIG. 18, when the male engagement element 471is inserted between the walls 494 a and 494 b of FIG. 16, the joint 475appears similar to channel 486, with walls 494 a and 494 b appearingsimilar to channel face 492. The male member 471 has front and rearsidewalls 477 a, 477 b that are also generally parallel to, and the samewidth as, the channel bases 492. The lateral spacing of the sidewalls477 a, 477 b from the respective faces 417 a, 417 b, is slightly greaterthan D1 so that the male member 471 fits within the female member 473.However, the single male member 471 abutting a newel post at one end ofthe fence nevertheless has a visual appearance very similar to channels486 and female end 473 (see FIG. 18).

Referring to FIG. 17, each common rail profile 416 comprises at leastone laterally inwardly directed tongue extending inwardly of the recess424. In the example illustrated, two laterally opposed first and secondtongues 458 a, 458 b are provided, each extending inwardly of the recess424. The first tongue 458 a extends from the first panel recess sidewall426 a towards the second panel recess sidewall 426 b, and the secondtongue 458 b extends from the second panel recess sidewall 426 b towardsthe first panel recess sidewall 426 a. The tongues 458 a and 458 b arejoined to the panel recess sidewalls 426 a, 426 b at a vertical positiongenerally at the outer ends 428 a, 428 b thereof, respectively. In otherwords, the tongues 458 a and 458 b extend inwardly from the sidewalls426 a, 426 b generally at the respective outer ends 428 a, 428 b,thereof. The tongues 458 a, 458 b can be generally coplanar with theproximal face 420.

Referring to FIG. 19, the panels 415 are provided with at least one slotor groove to receive the at least one tongue of the rail profile. In theexample illustrated, two grooves are provided (front and back lowergrooves) 466 a, 466 b to receive tongues 458 a and 458 b, respectively,of the lower rail 412, and with front and back upper grooves 468 a, 468b to receive the tongues 458 a, 458 b, respectively, of the upper rail414. In the example illustrated, the grooves 466 and 468 extend acrossthe raised panel portions 425 of the panels 415, between the edges 423a, 423 b and the channels 486. The bases 492 of the channels 486 arefree of the grooves 466 a, 466 b, 468 a, 468 b and remain verticallyintact across the elevation at which the grooves 466 a, 466 b, 468 a,468 b are provided in the raised panel portions 425 on either side ofthe channels 486.

To provide the grooves 466 a, 466 b, 468 a, 468 b, a saw cut can be madeacross the entire width 421 of the panel 415. The depth of cut can beset to generally equal the channel depth D1, so that the thickness ofthe extruded wall forming the raised panels 425 is cut through, but thewall forming the base 492 is below the depth of cut and so remainsuncut.

Upon installation, when the tongues 458 a, 458 b are received in theslots 466 and 468, the innermost edges of the tongues 458 a, 458 bgenerally abut the channel bases 492. This can help to close off whatwould otherwise be an opening between the outer edges 428 a, 428 b ofthe panel slot sidewalls 426 a, 426 b and the base panel 492 of thechannels 486. If left uncovered, such openings could admit snow, dirt,water or other matter to invade the rails. Further, as grooves 466, 468are not provided in channels 486 (i.e. grooves 466, 468 are not cut intothe channel bases 492), the channel bases 492 may provide additionalstrength to the panels 415.

FIG. 20 shows another example of a common rail profile 518 and a panel515. In this example, the tongues 558 a and 558 b are joined to thepanel recess sidewalls 526 a, 526 b at a vertical position near butspaced slightly vertically inward of the outer ends 528 a, 528 bthereof. The tongues 558 a and 558 b are slightly spaced from thejunction of the panel recess sidewalls 526 a, 426 b, and the proximalface 520, vertically recessed relative to the proximal face 520. Thiscan provide a vertical skirt segment 555 a, 555 b of the respectivepanel slot sidewalls 526 a, 526 b extending between the tongues 558 a,558 b and the proximal face 520. The skirt segments 555 a, 555 b canconceal proximal edges 567 a, 567 b and 569 a, 569 b of the upper andlower grooves 566 a, 566 b, 568 a, 568 b in the front and back faces 417a, 417 b of the panel 415, respectively, and provide additional lateralsupport to the raised panel portions 425 adjacent such proximal edges567 a, 567 b and 569 a, 569 b.

Another example of a fence section 1100 is shown in FIGS. 21 to 24.Referring to FIG. 21, fence section 1100 includes generally horizontalupper and lower rails 1110, 1112 that extend along respective upper andlower rail axes 1114, 1116. The lower rail 1112 is generally alignedwith and spaced vertically below the upper rail 1110 by a distance 1113.The distance 1113 between the rails 1110, 1112 may be chosen based onthe customer requirements or according to industry standards. In someexamples the distance 1113 may be between about 0.2 meters and 3.0meters. In other examples, the distance 1113 may be about 1.5 meters. Inthe example illustrated each of the rails 1110, 1112 is formed from arespective extruded lineal and includes integrally formed attachmentlegs 1130.

Referring still to FIG. 21, the fence section 1100 includes a pluralityof vertical members 1150 extending between the upper and lowerhorizontal rails 1110, 1112. Referring to FIGS. 22 and 23 b, eachvertical member 1150 includes at least one upper slot 1152 and at leastone lower slot (not shown) corresponding to attachment legs 1130 of theupper and lower rails 1110, 1112 respectively. The attachment legs 1130of the upper and lower rails 1110, 1112 are received within theircorresponding upper slot 1152 and lower slot to secure each verticalmember 1150 to the upper and lower horizontal rails 1110, 1112.

Each of the vertical members 1150 defines and extends along a respectivevertical axis, for example vertical axis 1156. The vertical members 1150are, in the example illustrated, extruded lineals that each have thesame extruded cross section. In some examples each vertical member 1150may be extruded as a separate member, or may be an injection moldedmember, or the vertical members 1150 may each be cut to length from asingle, longer extruded member. The vertical axis of each verticalmember generally coincides with the extrusion direction of the verticalmembers. The upper 1152 and lower slots of the vertical members 1150extend generally perpendicular to its vertical axis. The upper 1152 andlower slots may be formed in the vertical members 1150 using a secondarymanufacturing process after the vertical members 1150 have beenextruded, for example by cutting, routing, machining and milling. In theexample illustrated the upper 1152 and lower slots are formed by plungecutting with a saw blade having a thickness generally equal to thethickness of the slot. The saw blade can have a depth a cut thatprovides a slot all the way through the sidewall, and having notches ineach edge wall orthogonal to the sidewall.

FIGS. 22 to 23B show the lower slot 1152 in detail. The upper slot maybe identical to the lower slot, and is not shown separately in detail.As shown in FIGS. 23A and 23B, the lower slot 1152 forms an opening 1158that extends through their respective sidewalls 1160 on each verticalmember 1150. Each opening 1158 includes and is defined by a pair ofopposed slot edge faces 1162 and a pair of opposed slot end faces 1164,each slot edge face 1162 and each slot end face 1164 extending laterallyfrom an outer surface 1166 of the sidewall 1160 to an inner surface 1168of the sidewall 1160. The slot edge faces 1162 are generally parallel toeach other.

In some examples the upper 1152 and lower slots are cut into thesidewall 1160 so that the slot faces 1162, 1164 are generally orthogonalto the outer surface 1166 of the sidewall 1160. Such slots may becreated by cutting the vertical members 1150 using a saw blade that isgenerally orthogonal to the sidewalls 1160. In other examples, the slotsare cut into the sidewall 1160 so that the slot edge faces 1162 are atan oblique angle 1163 relative to outer surface 1166. This type of angleslot may be formed by cutting the vertical members 1150 with an angledsaw blade. Angled slot edge faces 1162 may provide clearance for theattachment legs 1130 to flex and bend as they are snapped or snap-fitinto the slots while maintaining the vertical connection to and supportof the rail members 1110, 1112 once the attachment legs 1130 have beenfully inserted into their respective slots. The slot end faces 1164 areparallel to each other and are spaced apart by a slot length 1159 b andthe slot edge faces 1162 are spaced apart by a slot height 1159 a.

In the example illustrated, each attachment leg 1130 comprises opposingattachment leg end faces 1132 spaced apart by an attachment leg length.The attachment leg length is generally equal to, but slightly less thanthe slot length 1159 b of the corresponding slot so that the attachmentleg end faces 1132 can closely fit between the slot end faces 1164without interfering with the slot end faces 1164 so that the attachmentleg 1130 can be inserted into its slot.

Referring to FIG. 24, each attachment leg 1130 includes a barb 1134. Thebarb 1134 includes an abutment surface 1136 that engages and bearsagainst a portion of the inner surface of the sidewall 1168 adjacent orproximate the slot into which the attachment leg 1130 is received. Whenan attachment leg 1130 is fully inserted into its slot the engagementbetween the abutment surface 1136 of the barb 1134 and the inner surfaceof the sidewall 1168 tends to retain the attachment leg 1130 within theslot and resist removal therefrom.

Referring still to FIG. 24, the upper and lower rails 1110, 1112 alsoinclude a base surface 1138. Each attachment leg 1130 formed on the rail1110, 1112 extends from a base surface 1138 and each base surface 1138generally opposes the abutment surfaces 1136 of the attachment legs 1130extending therefrom. The base surface 1138 is generally spaced apartfrom the abutment surfaces 1136 by a distance that is greater than thethickness of the sidewalls 1160 of the vertical members 1150. Asillustrated in FIG. 22, when an attachment leg 1130 is fully insertedinto its slot, the barb 1134 will be positioned inside the hollowinterior of the vertical member 1160 and its abutment surface 1136 willengage the inner surface of the vertical member 1160. As describedabove, the base surface 1138 of each rail 1110, 1112 is opposed to andoffset from the abutment surface 1136 so that the base surface 1138 willsimultaneously engage the outer surface 1166 of the sidewall 1160 whenthe abutment surface 1136 engages the inner surface 1168.

Referring still to FIG. 24, each barb 1134 has a generally wedge-shapedcross-section comprising a leading edge 1140 spaced apart from itsabutment surface 1136 so that the each attachment leg 1130 facilitatesinsertion into and resists removal from its slot. The relative size andshape of the barb 1134 may be chosen to provide the insertion andremoval performance desired by the user. Each attachment leg 1130 mayalso be resilient, or include some resilient portions, so that it ismoveable between a first position for inserting the attachment leg 1130and barb 1134 through its slot and a second position for retaining (orsecuring or locking) the attachment leg 1130 within its slot. When theattachment leg 1130 is in its first or insertion position the barb 1134can be passed through the slot from outside the vertical member 1150 toinside the hollow interior of the vertical member 1150. To facilitateinsertion of the attachment leg 1130 and barb 1134, an angled portion ofthe barb 1134 (extending from the leading edge to the abutment surface1136 in the example shown) may engage a slot edge face 1162 and act as acam surface to guide the barb 1134 as it is inserted. The engagementbetween the barb 1134 and the slot edge face 1162 may also create aforce that is sufficient to deflect the resilient portion of theattachment leg 1130 as the leg 1130 is inserted. When the attachment leg1130 is in the second position the abutment surface 1136 engages theinner surface 1168 of the sidewall 1160. The resilient nature of theattachment leg 1130 biases the attachment leg 1130 is second position.In other examples, the attachment 1130 may be biased toward its secondposition by an external biasing means (for example a spring).

In the example illustrated in FIGS. 21 to 24, horizontal rails 1110,1112 have a common extruded profile generally taking the form a downwardopening, generally C-shaped channel. Each rail 1110, 1112 channel has ahorizontal upper wall 1118 and first and second vertical, spaced apart,integrally formed rail sidewalls 1120, 1122 that define an internalcavity 1124. The upper wall 1118 of each horizontal rail 1110, 1112includes a plurality of apertures 1126 spaced apart along the length ofthe rail 1110, 1112. When the fence section 1100 is assembled the rails1110, 1112 are positioned so that the apertures 1126 in the upperhorizontal rail 1110 are aligned with corresponding apertures 1126 inthe lower horizontal rail so that each vertical member 1150 extendingbetween the horizontal rails 1110, 1112 is received within one aperture1126 in the upper horizontal rail 1110 and its corresponding aperture1126 in the lower horizontal rail 1112.

Referring to FIG. 21, in the example illustrated, each vertical member1150 extends beyond the upper wall 1118 of the upper horizontal rail1110 beyond the bottom edge of the sidewalls 1120, 1122 of the lowerhorizontal rail 1112 so that the fence section 1100 may visuallyresemble a traditional picket fence constructed using known techniques.The extent to which the vertical members 1150 extend above and below thehorizontal rails 1110, 1112 may be adjusted based on customer preferenceor any other consideration. As the position of the horizontal rails1110, 1112 relative to the vertical members 1150 is based on therelative location of the slots 1152, 1154, the position of the slots1152, 1154 on the vertical members 1150 may be changed to suit thecustomer requests.

When the rails 1110, 1112 have a generally C-shaped profile, asillustrated in FIGS. 21 to 24, the rails 1110, 1112 are formed withopposing pairs of attachment legs 1130 extending from an inner face 1128of the first and second rail sidewalls 1120, 1122 of the upper and lowerrails 1110, 1112. In this configuration, the attachment legs 1130 arearranged as pairs of opposing attachment legs 1130 along the length ofthe internal cavity 1124 at a desired interval (based on the desiredspacing of the vertical members 1150). Each attachment leg 1130 in apair of opposing attachment legs 1130 extends toward its opposingattachment leg 1130 and into the internal cavity 1124.

Complementing the arrangement of opposing attachment legs 1130 eachvertical member 1150 includes a set of complimentary opposing upperslots 1152 and a set of opposing lower slots 1154 formed in opposingsidewalls 1160 of the vertical member 1150 for receiving the opposingpairs of attachment legs 1130 on the upper and lower rails 1110, 1112respectively.

In this example, the rail sidewalls 1120, 1122 may also be at leastpartially resilient to enable them to flex outwardly when the verticalmembers 1150 are inserted through the internal cavity 1124 when theattachment legs 1130 are not aligned with the slots 1152, 1154, and thento return to their original configuration after the attachment legs 1130are inserted through the slots 1152, 1154.

The apertures 1126 in the upper walls 1118 of the rails 1110, 1112 areillustrated as being generally rectangular, with rounded corners thatare shaped to snugly receive the vertical members 1150. In otherexamples, both the apertures 1126 and the vertical members 1150 maybe ofa different configuration. While the vertical members 1150 are shown asbeing generally rectangular, it is understood that the cross-sectionalshape (and its dimensions and proportions) of the vertical members 1150may be any suitable shape, including square, rectangular, triangular,circular and polygonal. Similarly, the apertures 1126 may be of anydesired size and shape that can receive a corresponding vertical member.The apertures may have the same general shape and size as the verticalmembers so that the vertical members closely fit within the apertureswith little visible gap between the surfaces of the vertical member andthe receiving aperture. Alternatively, the apertures may be of adifferent size and/or shape than the vertical members so that thevertical members are loosely received within the apertures. For example,a round vertical member could be loosely received within a larger,square aperture.

In an alternate example shown in FIG. 24B, the fence section 1100includes a second horizontal upper rail 1110 b, positioned above theupper rail 1110. The second horizontal upper rail 1110 b issubstantially the same as the upper rail 1110. Further the verticalmembers 1150 include a second upper slot (not shown), which correspondsto attachment legs (not shown) of the second upper rail 1110 b. Thesecond upper rail 1110 b is mounted to the vertical members in the samemanner as the upper rail 1110. The second horizontal upper rail 1110 bmay, for example, be included in the fence section 1100 for aestheticpurposes.

Referring now to FIGS. 25 to 29, another example of a fence section 1200is shown. The connection structure used to attach the members of fencesection 1200 is similar to the connection structure of fence section1100, and like features are identified by like reference characters,incremented by 100. The fence section 1200 includes upper and lowerhorizontal rails 1210, 1212 that are spaced apart by a vertical distance1213.

Fence section 1200 also includes a plurality of vertical members 1250extending between the upper and lower horizontal rails 1210, 1212.Referring to FIG. 26B, each vertical member 1250 includes a pair ofupper slots 1252 and a pair lower slots 1254 corresponding to theattachment legs 1230 of the upper and lower rails 1210, 1212respectively. The attachment legs 1230 of the upper and lower rails1210, 1212 are received within their corresponding slots 1252, 1254 tosecure each vertical member 1250 to the upper and lower horizontal rails1210, 1212. The connection between the attachment legs 1230 and theslots 1252, 1254 can provide the only attachment between the rails 1210,1212 and the vertical members 1250. In these examples no additionalmechanical or chemical fasteners are used to secure the vertical members1250 to the rails 1210, 1212. In other examples, the connection betweenthe attachment legs 1230 and the slots 1252, 1254 (or the members ofother examples described herein) may be supplemented using knownchemical or mechanical fasteners including, for example, but not limitedto, glue, screws, nails, bolts, welding or adhesive tape.

Referring to FIG. 25, each of the vertical members 1250 defines andextends along a respective vertical axis, for example vertical axis1256. The vertical members 1250 are extruded lineals that each have thesame extruded cross section. In some examples each vertical member 1250may be extruded as a separate member; in other examples the verticalmembers 1250 may each be cut to length from a single, longer extrudedmember. The vertical axis of each vertical member generally coincideswith the extrusion direction of the vertical members. The upper andlower slots 1252, 1254 of the vertical members 1250 extend generallyperpendicular to the axis 1256.

With reference to FIG. 26 b, the upper and lower slots 1252, 1254 in theexample illustrated each form an opening 1258 that extends through asidewall 1260 on each vertical member 1250. Each opening 1258 includesand is defined by a pair of opposed slot edge faces 1262 and a pair ofopposed slot end faces 1264, each slot edge face 1262 and each slot endface 1264 extending laterally from an outer surface 1266 of the sidewall1260 to an inner surface 1268 of the sidewall 1260 (shown in FIG. 27).The slot edge faces 1262 are generally parallel to each other.

In some examples the slots 1252, 1254 can be cut into the sidewall 1260so that the slot faces 1262, 1264 are generally orthogonal to the outersurface 1266 of the sidewall 1260. Such slots 1252, 1254 may be createdby plunge cutting the vertical members 1250 using a saw blade that isgenerally orthogonal to the sidewalls 1260. In other examples, the slots1252, 1254 are cut into the sidewall 1260 so that the slot edge faces1262 are at an oblique angle relative to the outer surface 1266. Theslot end faces 1264 are parallel to each other and are spaced apart by aslot length 1259 b and the slot edge faces 1262 are spaced apart by aslot height 1259 a.

Referring to FIG. 26B, each attachment leg 1230 comprises opposingattachment leg end faces 1232 spaced apart by an attachment leg length1231. The attachment leg length 1231 is generally equal to, but slightlyless than the slot length 1259 b of the corresponding slot 1252, 1254 sothat the attachment leg end faces 1232 can closely fit between the slotend faces 1264 without interfering with the slot end faces 1264 so thatthe attachment leg 1230 can be inserted into its slot 1252, 1254.

Referring to FIGS. 27 and 27B, each attachment leg 1230 includes a barb1234. The barb 1234 includes an abutment surface 1236 that engages andbears against a portion of the inner surface 1267 of the sidewall 1260adjacent or proximate the slot 1252, 1254 into which the attachment leg1230 is received. When an attachment leg 1230 is fully inserted into itsslot 1252, 1254 the engagement between the abutment surface 1236 of thebarb 1234 and the inner surface of the sidewall 1268 tends to retain theattachment leg 1230 within the slot 1252, 1254 and resist removaltherefrom.

Referring to FIG. 27B, the upper and lower rails 1210, 1212 also includea base surface 1238. Each attachment leg 1230 formed on the rail 1210,1212 extends from the base surface 1238 and each base surface 1238generally opposes the abutment surfaces 1236 of the attachment legs 1230extending therefrom. The base surface 1238 is generally spaced apartfrom the abutment surfaces 1236 by a distance that is greater than thethickness of the sidewalls 1260 of the vertical members 1250. Asillustrated, when an attachment leg 1230 is fully inserted into its slot1252, 1254 the barb 1234 will be positioned inside the hollow interiorof the vertical member 1260 and its abutment surface 1236 will engagethe inner surface of the vertical member 1260. As described above, thebase surface 1238 of each rail 1210, 1212 is opposed to and offset fromthe abutment surface 1236 so that the base surface 1238 willsimultaneously engage the outer surface 1266 of the sidewall 1260 whenthe abutment surface 1236 engages the inner surface 1268. In otherexamples, the offset between the abutment surface 1236 and the basesurface 1268 may be greater than the thickness of the sidewall 1260. Therelative size and shape of the barb 1234 may be chosen to provide theinsertion and removal performance desired by the user.

Each attachment leg 1230 may also be resilient, or include someresilient portions, so that it is moveable between a first position forinserting the attachment leg 1230 and barb 1234 through its slot 1252,1254 and a second position for retaining (or securing or locking) theattachment leg 1230 within its slot 1252, 1254. When the attachment leg1230 is in its first or insertion position the barb 1234 can be passedthrough the slot 1252, 1254 from outside the vertical member 1250 toinside the hollow interior of the vertical member 1250. To facilitateinsertion of the attachment leg 1230 and barb 1234, an angled portion ofthe barb 1234 (extending from the leading edge 1240 to the abutmentsurface 1236 in the example shown) may engage a slot edge face 1262 andact as a cam surface to guide the barb 1234 as it is inserted, asdescribed in detail above with respect to fence section 1100. When theattachment leg 1230 is in the second position the abutment surface 1236engages the inner surface 1268 of the sidewall 1260. The resilientnature of the attachment leg 1230 biases the attachment leg 1230 issecond position.

In the example of the fence section 1200 illustrated in FIGS. 25 to 29,both horizontal rails 1210, 1212 have a common extruded profile (alsoreferred to as a first extruded lineal) that is formed by spaced aparttop and bottom walls 1218, 1219 connected by integrally formed first andsecond rail sidewalls 1220, 1222 forming a generally rectangularchannel.

In one example, as illustrated in FIGS. 25 to 27, the attachment legs1230 on each rail 1210, 1212 all extend from the outer surface 1221 ofthe first rail sidewall 1220. In this example, the vertical members 1230are all attached on the same side of the horizontal rails 1210, 1212creating a single-sided fence section.

In another example, as illustrated in FIGS. 28, 28B, and 29, the upperand lower rails 1210, 1212 may be configured to include attachment legs1230 extending from the outer surface 1221 of rail sidewall 1220 as wellas including additional attachment legs 1230 extending from an outersurface 1223 of the second rail sidewall 1222. In this example, theplurality of vertical members 1250 can be described as first and secondsets or groups of vertical members 1250 a, 1250 b. Each set of verticalmembers 1250 a, 1250 b being attached on opposite sides of the rails1210, 1212.

In this configuration, the attachment legs 1230 extending from the firstrail sidewall 1220 of the upper and lower horizontal rails 1210, 1212are received within and connected to the corresponding upper and lowerslots 1252, 1254 of the vertical members 1250 in the first set ofvertical members 1250 a thereby securing each vertical member in thefirst set of vertical members 1250 a adjacent the first sidewall of bothhorizontal side rails. Similarly, the attachment legs 1230 extendingfrom the second sidewall 1222 of the upper and lower horizontal rails1210, 1212 are received within and connected to the corresponding upperand lower slots 1252, 1254 of the vertical members 1250 in the secondset of vertical members 1250 b, thereby securing each vertical member1250 in the second set of vertical members 1250 b on the opposite sideof the rails 1210, 1212 from the first set of vertical members 1250 a,adjacent the second sidewall 1222 of both horizontal side rails 1210,1212. When assembled in this configuration, the fence section 1200 canbe described as a double-sided fence.

In the double-sided configuration, the first and second sets of verticalmembers 1250 a, 1250 b can be arranged to directly oppose each other,or, as illustrated in FIG. 28, the vertical members 1250 from the firstand second sets of vertical members 1250 a, 1250 b can be arranged in analternating (or staggered or offset) sequence along the length of theupper and lower horizontal rails 1210, 1212. The first and second sets1250 a, 1250 b can also be arranged in pairs in an alternating sequence,as shown in FIG. 28B.

In either the single-sided or double-sided configurations the attachmentlegs 1230 have an attachment leg length 1231 (the distance betweenopposing attachment leg end faces 1232, shown in FIG. 26B) that isgenerally equal to the slot length 1259 b so that the translation (ormoving or shifting) of each vertical member 1250 relative to the upperand lower horizontal rails 1210, 1212 along the upper and lower railaxes 1214, 1216 is inhibited when the attachment leg 1230 is receivedits slot 1252, 1254. Having the close or tight fit between theattachment legs 1230 and the slots 1252, 1254 may prevent the fencesection 1200 from rattling (for example when exposed to wind) and mayhelp maintain the desired spacing between vertical members 1250 foraesthetic and/or privacy purposes.

In each of the examples of fence sections described above, theattachment of the vertical members 1250 to the upper and lowerhorizontal rails 1210, 1212 includes only the connection between theattachment legs 1230 and the slots 1252, 1254 and is free from otherfastening means. The connection between the attachment legs 1230 and theslots 1252, 1254 is a press-fit or snap-fit connection wherein anattachment leg 1230 is aligned with a corresponding slot 1252, 1254 andan insertion force is applied (by a user or during the manufacturingprocess) to push the attachment leg 1230 (including barb 1234)completely into its slot 1252, 1254. During insertion process theattachment leg 1230 (or a portion thereof) may deflect or bend as itpasses through its slot 1252, 1254 and then “snap back” or return to itsoriginal position to positively engage a portion of the vertical member1230 and retain the attachment leg 1230 within its slot 1252, 1254 oncefully inserted. Fully inserted is understood to mean inserted to theextent necessary for the attachment leg 1130, 1230 to operatively orpositively engage its slot 1252, 1254 so as to be retained therein tofunctionally secure the vertical members 1150, 1250 to the rails 1110,1112, 1210, 1212. In the examples described, the attachment legs 1130,1230 may be considered fully inserted when the they have been insertedto the point where abutment surface 1136, 1236 of the barb 1134, 1234engages the inner surface 1168, 1268 of the vertical member sidewall1160, 1260. When a functional or operational engagement between thevertical members and the rails is achieved an attachment leg 1130, 1230may be considered fully inserted, even if a portion of the attachmentleg 1130, 1230 extends beyond the outer sidewall surface 1168, 1268 suchthat a portion of the attachment leg is visible to the user after thefence sections have been assembled and the vertical members are slightlyspaced from the rails.

Generally, a method for assembling a fence section using the snap-fitconnectors described above includes providing a first and secondhorizontal rails that are parallel to, and spaced apart from each other.Both the first and second rails include at least one integrally formedattachment leg extending therefrom. In addition to the first and secondrails the assembly method includes providing a plurality of verticalmembers. The size and shape of the vertical members may be dictated byuser preferences or by the style of fence section being created (forexample fence sections 1100, 1200). Each vertical member providedincludes at least one upper slot formed in a sidewall for receiving oneattachment leg from the first horizontal rail and at least one lowerslot formed in the sidewall for receiving one attachment leg from thesecond horizontal rail. Depending on the fence style selected the upperand lower slots may be formed on the same sidewall or on opposingsidewalls. The fence panel is then assembled by connecting each verticalmember to the first and second horizontal rails by inserting eachattachment leg on the first horizontal rail into a corresponding upperslot on each of the vertical members and inserting each attachment legon the second horizontal rail into the corresponding lower slot on eachon each vertical member.

Referring to FIGS. 30 to 31 c, another example of a barb 1334 is shown.The barb 1334 is an alternative to the barbs 1134, 1234 described aboveand is suitable for use with the members of fence sections 1100 and1200. For the purpose of describing barb 1334 the like features of thehorizontal rails and vertical members of fence sections 1100 and 1200are identified by like reference characters, incremented by 100 and 200respectively. In the example illustrated the barb 1334 is formed on theattachment leg 1330 of an upper rail 1310 that most closely resemblesupper rail 1110. However, it is understood that the barb 1334 could beused on lower rail 1112 (as the rails 1110, 1112 have a common extrudedprofile), on the rails 1210, 1212 of fence section 1200 and on theattachment legs of the connection structure 1400 described below.

Referring to FIGS. 30 and 30B, the upper rail 1310 includes an upperwall 1318, first and second rail sidewalls 1320, 1322 and attachmentlegs 1330. Like rail 1110 described in detail above, the attachment legs1330 extend from rail sidewalls 1320, 1322 for engaging the upper slots1352 of vertical members 1350. Each attachment leg 1330 includes a barb1334 at is free or distal end (the end spaced away from the railsidewall 1320, 1322). Each barb 1334 includes a resilient retainingmember 1335 (or tab or locking member) that is movably connected to theattachment leg 1330 near the leading edge 1340. The resilient retainingmember 1335 is moveable between an insertion position, in which theretaining member 1335 is collapsed (or retracted or folded) against (orpositioned in close proximity too without actually touching) theattachment leg 1330, and a retention position, in which the retainingmember 1335 is upstanding (at an angle 1341 between 0 and 90 degrees)and extends away from the attachment leg 1330.

When the resilient retaining member 1335 is in the insertion position(as best shown in FIG. 31 a) the barb 1334 has a barb height 1334 a thatis less than the slot height 1359 a to allow insertion of the barb 1334through the slot 1352. When the resilient retaining member 1335 is inthe retention position (as best shown in FIGS. 31 b and 31 c) the barbhas a barb height 1334 a that is greater than the slot height 1359 a sothat the attachment leg 1330 cannot easily pass back through the slot1352. Each resilient retaining member 1335 is biased toward theretention position so that the retaining members 1335 will automaticallymove from the insertion position to the retention position when fullyinserted into the slots.

The resilient retaining member 1335 of each barb 1334 forms the abutmentsurface 1336 and when the attachment leg 1330 is fully inserted in itsslot (as defined above) the resilient retaining member 1335 moves to theretention position so that the abutment surface 1336 engages the innersurface 1368 of the vertical member sidewall 1360. In the examplesillustrated, when the retaining member 1335 is inserted and moved to theretention position the base surface 1338 of the rail 1310 contacts theouter surface 1366 of the vertical member sidewall 1360.

In some examples, the contact between the retaining member 1335 and thebase surface 1338 and the inner and outer surfaces 1366, 1368 of thevertical member sidewall 1360 creates a satisfactory connection betweenthe rails and the vertical members. In other examples, as shown in FIGS.31 a to 31 c, the retaining leg 1330 may include a protrusion orprojection 1339. The protrusion 1339 extends away from the attachmentleg 1330 and is position intermediate the resilient retaining member1335 and the base surface 1338. Each protrusion 1339 has a protrusionheight 1339 a (shown in FIG. 31B) that is approximately the same as, butslightly less than, the slot height 1359 a allowing the protrusion 1339to closely fit within the slot 1352. Each protrusion is registered withone slot edge face 1362 when the attachment leg 1330 is fully receivedin the slot 1352. This configuration allows the attachment leg 1330 tobe inserted into the slot 1352 and inhibits vertical displacementbetween the vertical members 1350 and upper 1310 and lower rails (asshown in FIG. 31 c) as the projection 1339 is closely received withinthe slot 1352 and will contact the slot edge surface 1362 if the rail1310 is moved vertically with respect to the vertical member 1350, orvice versa.

Referring now to FIGS. 31D and 31E, another example of a barb 1534 isshown. The barb 1534 is similar to the barb 1334, described hereinabove,and like features in FIGS. 31D and 31E are identified by like referencenumerals as in FIGS. 30 to 31C, incremented by 200. The barb 1534includes a resilient retaining member 1535 that is movably connected tothe attachment leg 1530 near the leading edge 1540, and extendsgenerally upwardly from the leading edge 1540. The barb 1534 furtherincludes a second resilient retaining member 1537, which is configuredsimilarly to the retaining member 1535, but extends downwardly from theleading edge 1540. The second resilient retaining member 1537 functionsin a substantially similar manner to the resilient retaining member1534, as described with respect to FIGS. 30 to 31C.

Similarly to the example of FIGS. 30 to 31C, the retaining leg 1530 ofFIGS. 31D and 31E includes a protrusion 1539, which extends away fromthe attachment leg 1530. The example of FIGS. 31D and 31E furtherincludes a shoulder 1547 opposed to the protrusion 1539. The shoulder1547 and the protrusion 1539 cooperate to centre the barb 1534 withrespect to the slot.

Referring now to FIGS. 32 and 33, an example of a connection structure1400 for connecting members of a fence or other structure, for examplefence sections 1100 and 1200, is shown comprising a first extrudedlineal 1450 and a second extruded lineal 1410. The first extruded lineal1450 extends lengthwise along a first longitudinal axis 1456 and has asidewall 1460 with at least one slot 1452 (also referred to as a firstslot) formed in the sidewall 1460. In the example illustrated the firstslot 1452 extends generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 1456.In other examples the slot 1452 may be at an oblique angle relative tothe longitudinal axis 1456, for example 30 degrees or 45 degrees.

The second extruded lineal 1410 extends lengthwise along a secondlongitudinal axis 1414 and includes an attachment leg 1430 (alsoreferred to as a first attachment leg) corresponding to the slot 1452.The attachment leg 1430 extends outward from the second extruded lineal1410 and is generally parallel to the second longitudinal axis 1414. Thefirst attachment leg 1452 is integrally formed with the second extrudedlineal 1410 and is inserted into or received within in the first slot1452 to secure the first extruded lineal 1450 to the second extrudedlineal 1410.

Optionally, as shown in FIGS. 32 and 33, the first extruded lineal 1450includes a second slot 1453. The second slot 1453 is generally parallelto, and spaced apart from, the first slot 1452. In this example, thesecond extruded lineal 1410 has a corresponding second attachment leg1431 that is parallel to the first attachment leg 1430 and is receivedin the second slot 1453 when the first and second lineals 1450, 1410 areconnected.

In the single-slot and double-slot examples, each slot 1452, 1453 formsan opening that extends through the sidewall 1460. Each opening or slot1452, 1453 has opposed slot edge faces 1462 and opposing slot end faces1464. The slot edge faces 1462 and slot end faces 1464 extending throughthe sidewall 1460 from the outer surface 1466 of the sidewall 1460 tothe inner surface 1468 of the sidewall 1460.

In the example illustrated, the slot edge faces 1462 are parallel toeach other and perpendicular to the outer surface 1466 of the sidewall1460 and the first longitudinal axis 1456. In another example, the slotedge faces 1462 are at an oblique angle relative to the firstlongitudinal axis 1456 (for example the slot edge faces 1162 and 1262described above).

Each attachment leg 1430, 1431 has a distal portion spaced apart fromthe second extruded lineal 1410 and a barb 1434 that extends from thedistal portion. Each barb 1434 includes an abutment surface 1436 thatengages and bears against a portion of the inner surface 1468 of thesidewall 1460 that is adjacent the slot 1452, 1453 into which theattachment leg 1430, 1431 is received. This engagement between theabutment surface 1436 and the inner sidewall surface 1468 may help toretain the attachment leg 1430, 1431 within its slot 1452, 1453 when theattachment leg 1430, 1431 is fully inserted into its slot 1452, 1453.

The second extruded lineal 1410 also includes a base surface 1438 thatcooperates with the abutment surface 1436 to secure the second extrudedlineal 1410 to the first extruded lineal 1450. Each attachment leg 1430,1431 extends from the base surface 1438 and the base surface 1438generally opposes the abutment service 1436 (either physically—i.e. thesurfaces are facing each other, or operationally/functionally—i.e. theabutment surface and the base surface exert generally opposing forces onthe first extruded lineal) and is spaced apart from the abutment surface1436 by a distance 1472 that is greater than the thickness T of thefirst extruded lineal sidewall 1460.

The slot end faces 1464 are spaced apart by a first width 1474 (alsoreferred to as a slot width) and the attachment legs 1430, 1431 receivedwithin each slot 1452, 1453 second width 1476. The second width 1476 isgenerally equal to, but at least slightly shorter than, the first width1474 so the attachment legs 1430, 1431 can fit within the slots 1452,1453 but translation or sliding of the first extruded lineal 1450relative to the second extruded lineal 1410 along the secondlongitudinal axis 1414 is inhibited when the attachment legs 1430, 1431are received in their slots 1452, 1453.

While the above description provides examples of one or more processesor apparatuses in accordance with the applicant's contribution to thestate of the art as disclosed herein, it will be appreciated that otherprocesses or apparatuses may be within the scope of such contribution,and any exclusive right that may be granted to the applicants in respectof such contribution is not necessarily limited to the aforementionedexamples as specifically described herein.

We claim:
 1. A fence section comprising: an upper rail; a lower rail; afirst fence panel having a first upper end adjacent to the upper rail, afirst lower end adjacent to the lower rail, and a first vertical sideextending between the first upper end and the first lower end; a secondfence panel having a second upper end adjacent to the upper rail, asecond lower end adjacent to the lower rail, and a second vertical sideextending between the second upper end and the second lower end; a maleengagement element formed along at least a portion of the first verticalside of the first fence panel; and a female engagement element formedalong at least a portion of the second vertical side of the second fencepanel; wherein the male engagement element and the female engagementelement are configured to cooperate to releasably secure together thefirst fence panel and the second fence panel.
 2. The fence section ofclaim 1, wherein the male engagement element is formed along an entirefirst height of the first vertical side of the first fence panel betweenthe first upper end and the first lower end.
 3. The fence section ofclaim 1, wherein the female engagement element is formed along an entiresecond height of the second vertical side of the second fence panelbetween the second upper end and the second lower end.
 4. The fencesection of claim 1, wherein: the male engagement element defines aprotrusion extending from the first vertical side of the first fencepanel; the female engagement element defines a recess formed in thesecond vertical side of the second fence panel; and the protrusion ofthe male engagement element is received in the recess of the femaleengagement element to connect together the first fence panel and thesecond fence panel.
 5. The fence section of claim 4, wherein: theprotrusion includes a proximal portion adjacent to the first verticalside, a distal portion, and an intermediate portion between the proximalportion and the distal portion, the distal portion is thicker than theintermediate portion; the recess includes an opening portion and apocket portion, the pocket portion is wider than the opening portion;and the distal portion of the protrusion is inserted into the pocketportion of the recess to releasably secure together the first fencepanel and the second fence panel.
 6. The fence section of claim 1,wherein: the upper rail defines an upper rail profile; the lower raildefines a lower rail profile; and the upper rail profile and the lowerrail profile are substantially uniform.
 7. The fence section of claim 1,wherein at least one of the first fence panel and the second fence paneldefine a channel extending along a height of the at least one of thefirst fence panel and the second fence panel between the lower rail andthe upper rail.
 8. The fence section of claim 7, wherein: the firstfence panel includes a first front panel face and a first back panelface; the second fence panel includes a second front panel face and asecond back panel face; the male engagement element is positioned on thefirst vertical side at a first location that is intermediate relative tothe first front panel face and the first back panel face; the femaleengagement element is positioned on the second first vertical side at asecond location that is intermediate relative to the second front panelface and the second back panel face; and an intersection between thefirst fence panel and the second fence panel established by theconnection between the male engagement element and the female engagementelement has the same appearance as the channel.